"I was shocked because she was crying. She said: 'Dad has passed away'.''

She shared her story at the breakfast after getting there by mistake.

She and her family had been heading to another special breakfast being held for education students, but had become lost.

Labour MP Jenny Salesa - whose husband, Professor Damon Salesa - teaches at the university, spotted them and extended an invitation for them to stay; which they accepted.

Each graduating student is invited to give a short speech to thank their families and Maka was invited on stage also.

Jenny Salesa said of Maka's speech: "She was the second-to-last speaker and, in my opinion, her speech was the most heartwarming to all of us.

"Those who were not already crying started crying when she talked of her husband and how he was dying and still encouraged her to complete her degree.''

Maka said she felt she had been guided to the event especially to share her story.

The whole day felt special, she says, as she remembered her late husband as well as her parents, her late mother Mele Mafile'o and 83-year-old father Sami Mafile'o, who could not fly over for her ceremony.

His dream has always been for her to further her education, she said.

When it came time to walk across the stage to receive her degree, she became emotional and raised a fist in salute to her loved ones.

Speaking through tears, she said: "When they called my name, I remembered my parents and I remembered my husband - I felt he was walking with me.''

21 February, 2018. On Feb 17th, 2018， the Chinese Embassy in Tonga called on and organized Chinese water manufacturers to donate 500 boxes of drinking water to Tongan National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), to ensure the water supply for the Tongan victims of the Tropical Cyclone Gita.

21 February, 2018. Since the Tropical Cyclone Gita wrecked across Tonga, the Chinese companies, Chinese nationals and Tongan Chinese in the Kingdom have actively participated in the disaster-relief work, together with Tongan government and people.